Dec. 23—WINDSOR — A special town meeting will take place on Tuesday where residents can reject or deny the authorization of $2.4 million for HVAC upgrades at Sage Park Middle School.
The town council approved borrowing the money for the project at their Dec. 19 meeting. On Tuesday at 7 p.m. taxpayers can vote whether to appropriate the money or not.
“The proposed HVAC upgrade is the last phase of a multi-phase capital improvements project to improve the middle school’s HVAC system,” Town Engineer and Director of Public Works Robert Jarvis said.
He added that the first two phases for the heating and ventilation system included new electrical services, a heat pump system and air conditioning of the first and second floors of the building that was built in 1968.
The final phase will replace all classroom wall unit ventilators, roof exhaust fans, unit wall heaters, boilers, domestic hot water heater, heating pumps, and valves.
“If approved at the special town meeting, this project would complete the air conditioning of the entire building,” Town Manager Peter Souza said.
Souza said HVAC systems typically need upgrades every 20 to 25 years. He added that some of the original equipment had been replaced when an addition was put on the building in the 1980’s.
Work for the project would start in May and be completed some time in the fall with most of the work being done in July and August, Souza said.
“We can only do so much work when the school is in session,” he added.
At the Dec. 19 Town Council meeting, Councilman Ronald Eleveld stated that members of the public have questioned the upgrades and were looking for energy efficient equipment.
He wondered if it was a viable option to move away from natural gas due to the public’s concern.
Buildings and Facilities Manager Whit Przech responded that the natural gas by boilers is the most efficient way to heat the building, with an efficiency of almost 98%.
Collin covers South Windsor and East Hartford for the Journal Inquirer.
